By Lloydson G. Flomo
MONROVIA, Oct. 21 (LINA)—The President of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), Dr. Nancy T. Freeman has called on schools across Liberia to prioritize sanitation and maintain clean, healthy, learning environments, warning that poor hygiene can threaten students’ health, reduce concentration, and undermine academic performance.
Dr. Freeman made the call during the program marking the 4th graduation ceremony of Ducor Ivy League International School System at the Mission Bethel Central Church in Duport Road, Paynesville on Sunday October 18,2026 as she spoke on the topic, “The Criteria for Quality Education, With Particular Emphasis on the Importance of Maintaining a Clean and Healthy Environment.”
She emphasized that quality education should not be measured solely by student enrollment, school infrastructure, or the number of certificates awarded, but also by students’ knowledge, skills, values, and ability to apply what they have learned to real-life challenges.
According to Dr. Freeman, qualified teachers, effective teaching methods, adequate instructional materials, responsible leadership, discipline, and accountability are essential components of quality education stressing the need for stronger collaboration among the government, school authorities, parents, communities, and development partners to improve educational standards and outcomes.
Addressing sanitation in schools, Dr. Freeman described a clean learning environment as essential to students’ health, safety, discipline, and academic success.
She warned that accumulated garbage, poorly maintained toilets, stagnant water, and neglected school compounds can expose students to preventable health risks and create distractions that interfere with effective learning, noting that access to clean water, hygienic toilet facilities, proper waste disposal systems, and safe classrooms help create an environment in which students can learn effectively and develop healthy habits.
She added that maintaining clean school compounds also teaches students responsibility, discipline, and respect for public property, urging the government and school administrators to ensure the provision of adequate sanitation facilities, waste bins, clean water, and reliable waste-collection services.
She further encouraged teachers to lead by example, parents to reinforce proper hygiene practices at home, and students to take an active role in keeping their schools clean.
Dr. Freeman also called for greater recognition and institutional support for cleaners and maintenance workers, noting that their contributions are vital to maintaining safe, clean, and functional learning environments.
She concluded that improving education requires a comprehensive approach that addresses teacher quality, instructional resources, school leadership, discipline, and sanitation.
Dr. Freeman urged all education stakeholders to work collectively to build schools that promote academic excellence, cleanliness, safety, and dignity, while preparing students to make meaningful contributions to Liberia’s development.